51. Audrey
AUDREY
The Bulls invited us back for Sunday brunch, but I stayed true to the promises I’d made myself and politely declined. One day a week with the Bulls was enough for Ella: friendly but not too familiar, fun but not enough for her to get truly attached.
Or so I told myself.
We spent Sunday at the cottage, repainting the porch railings with some paint I found in the cottage’s attic (it was the least I could do since Graham was letting Ella and I stay there) and checking on the pot roast I had cooking in the oven.
Ella asked more than once to go see Graham, Ridge, and Holden — and especially Blue — but I held firm, something that wasn’t easy when I wanted to see them too.
Still, I was determined to do the right thing by her, to keep the boundaries in place that would protect her heart — and mine.
I ignored the voice that said it was already too late for me.
What did it know?
Monday was a work day and one of Ella’s last days at school before summer. I was both relieved and worried when I didn’t hear from Dean, but it wasn’t the first time he’d gone incommunicado after an argument.
I let it be. Dean wasn’t my problem anymore. If he was mad that Holden had gotten involved at the apartment, maybe Dean would think twice about following me next time.
I picked Ella up from school Monday night and wave to the Bulls on our way to the cottage.
Blue looked wistfully at the car as we passed — and maybe I was imagining it, but I thought Graham and Ridge looked a little wistful too — and Ella and I had leftover pot roast for dinner before settling into our nighttime routine.
I was sitting out on the porch with a glass of wine, Ella asleep, when my phone dinged with a test from Ridge.
You up?
I smiled. Yeah, but not open for bootie calls.
I’d settle for a kiss goodnight.
Afraid not.
My pillow smells like your shampoo.
Three dots appeared at the bottom of the screen, then disappeared before reappearing again.
I miss you in my bed, wildcat.
I hesitated before typing. I miss you too.
I set the phone aside in a hurry and took a long drink of my wine, my heart beating too fast.
And this time it wasn’t because I wanted to be in Ridge’s bed.
It was something a lot more dangerous.